Review of The Stars Look Down

This film was perhaps Britain's answer to "How Green Was My Valley" (1940) or perhaps it was the other way around. However, unlike this Hollywood version of life for the British coal miners, "The Stars Look Down" seems much more like a film to promote political change. In many ways, this film seems to be an early British call for more than just stronger unions to protect the workers but nationalization. While I am loathe to admit it (as I am basically very pro-capitalism), the film makes a very good case for socialism—at least in regard to the miners and their very dangerous jobs. "The Stars Look Down" features Michael Redgrave, Margaret Lockwood and Emlyn Williams—but mostly centers on Redgrave. He's the son of a coal miner and unlike most in his village, he loves education and sees as his way of helping his people. The unions appear indifferent to their plight and the mine owner seems very willing to risk his workers' lives---and Redgraves' character is determined to get a college education and enter, if possible, politics in order to force better working conditions. However, along the way his focus is diverted and his goal of nationalizing the industry seems at risk. Can he do something before more men are sacrificed for coal?

Considering the film stars the most excellent actor, Redgrave, it's not at all surprising that the acting was terrific and the story compelling. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that perhaps too much of the story is about this young man and not enough is about the miners. But, It's a small complaint and the film quite compelling. Too bad, however, that after receiving what they wanted that the industry has pretty much shut down in recent years.